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Children’s Services Access and Inclusion Plan

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This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s)(External link):

Overview

The Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan aims to build a more accessible and inclusive early years and child care system in Waterloo Region.

The Access and Inclusion Plan is in response to recommendations and feedback from the community, as well as the Provincial Government's Access and Inclusion Framework for the early years. The Ministry of Education now requires each Service System Manager to develop an approach towards equity and the inclusion of underserved groups, including Indigenous, Black, Racialized, families experiencing low-income, and children with special needs.

The Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan outlines 16 strategic actions that are in progress working towards a more equitable approach within the Child Care and Early Years sector.

The Access and Inclusion Plan identifies priorities within the broader Early Years Child Care System Plan 2022-2026. This also aligns with the Region's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan: Growing with Care to provide equitable services and opportunities in the community.

Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan Summary

Phase 1 Overview:

Children's Services is proud of the work that has already begun as first steps towards creating a more accessible and inclusive child care system. The following summarizes both actions already underway, as well as action planned for 2024.

Create more child care spaces:

  • New growth strategy
  • Language and Mentorship Program
  • Indigenous child care and home child care
  • More overnight, evening and weekend child care

Create more welcoming and inclusive environments for children:

  • Professional development for the whole sector
  • Equity and Inclusion Policies for child care
  • Evaluate the special needs service model
  • More supports for children with special needs in home child care

Remove barriers to accessing services:

  • Subsidy Access Pilot
  • More inclusive policies in child care subsidy
  • Simplify payment processes - Region of Waterloo Home Child Care
  • New system navigators positions
  • Translate the parent guide

Collect more useful data:

  • Collect race-based data for direct services
  • Improve OneList

Engage more with underserved communities:

  • New engagement strategies

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s)(External link):

Overview

The Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan aims to build a more accessible and inclusive early years and child care system in Waterloo Region.

The Access and Inclusion Plan is in response to recommendations and feedback from the community, as well as the Provincial Government's Access and Inclusion Framework for the early years. The Ministry of Education now requires each Service System Manager to develop an approach towards equity and the inclusion of underserved groups, including Indigenous, Black, Racialized, families experiencing low-income, and children with special needs.

The Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan outlines 16 strategic actions that are in progress working towards a more equitable approach within the Child Care and Early Years sector.

The Access and Inclusion Plan identifies priorities within the broader Early Years Child Care System Plan 2022-2026. This also aligns with the Region's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan: Growing with Care to provide equitable services and opportunities in the community.

Children's Services Access and Inclusion Plan Summary

Phase 1 Overview:

Children's Services is proud of the work that has already begun as first steps towards creating a more accessible and inclusive child care system. The following summarizes both actions already underway, as well as action planned for 2024.

Create more child care spaces:

  • New growth strategy
  • Language and Mentorship Program
  • Indigenous child care and home child care
  • More overnight, evening and weekend child care

Create more welcoming and inclusive environments for children:

  • Professional development for the whole sector
  • Equity and Inclusion Policies for child care
  • Evaluate the special needs service model
  • More supports for children with special needs in home child care

Remove barriers to accessing services:

  • Subsidy Access Pilot
  • More inclusive policies in child care subsidy
  • Simplify payment processes - Region of Waterloo Home Child Care
  • New system navigators positions
  • Translate the parent guide

Collect more useful data:

  • Collect race-based data for direct services
  • Improve OneList

Engage more with underserved communities:

  • New engagement strategies

  • Community Engagement for the Early Years & Child Care Event

    Share Community Engagement for the Early Years & Child Care Event on Facebook Share Community Engagement for the Early Years & Child Care Event on Twitter Share Community Engagement for the Early Years & Child Care Event on Linkedin Email Community Engagement for the Early Years & Child Care Event link

    We're hosting a second Community Engagement event on November 14, 2024 in Cambridge.

    Share your thoughts on child care and early learning services with child care professionals and Early Learning Child Care Navigators. Your input will help to shape early learning and child care in Waterloo Region.

    Event details:

    Event features:

    • Free gift for attendees, including tote bag with book and water bottle (while supplies last)
    • Children's entertainment by Erick Traplin
    • Children's activities
    • Opportunity to provide feedback directly to child care professionals
    • Opportunity to connect with services that support children in the Early Years
    • Translation and transportation supports available on request
    • Free light buffet dinner

    If you are unable to attend, you can still share your thoughts on child care and early learning services by filling out an online survey.

  • Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Feedback Survey

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    Please share your feedback about the Early Years and child care through an online survey or book a one-on-one conversation.

    We encourage participation from a diverse range of families, including those from traditionally under-represented groups. Your input is crucial in shaping policies and services to meet a wide-range of needs in the community.

  • Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Events 2024

    Share Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Events 2024 on Facebook Share Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Events 2024 on Twitter Share Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Events 2024 on Linkedin Email Community Engagement for the Early Years and Child Care Events 2024 link

    We want to hear from you!

    Meet with child care professionals and share your feedback to help shape the future of Early Learning and Child Care in Waterloo Region. We encourage participation from a diverse range of families, including those from traditionally under-represented groups.

    May 16, 2024 Community Engagement Event

    Thank you to those who attended the first Children's Services and the Early Learning Child Care Navigators event at THEMUSEUM on May 16. Your input will help to shape early learning and child care in Waterloo Region. If you were unable to attend, you can still share your thoughts on child care and early learning services by filling out an online survey.

    Fall 2024 Community Engagement Event

    Plans are in the works to hold a second community engagement event in Cambridge this fall. Stay tuned for updates.

Page last updated: 04 Nov 2024, 08:26 AM